Technical detail of Coaching the GK in a 1v1

• Gk to be on the front foot, hands set waist high body weight forward.

• GK DECISION! Is the attacker through on goal? If so, move on to next decision.               

Is there a defender(s) around them closing down? If the defender is close gk to encourage defender to make a challenge to put pressure on attacker while protecting the goal

• GK DECISION!  Is the ball out of the attackers feet (running with the ball?) if so, GK to advance forward

• As the GK comes forward, arms out wide, palms facing forwards fingers spread as wide as possible. As the gk closes down the attacker, GK to start dropping the body into a “low set position” Arms closer to body palms forward and low to the ground. Legs move/step in smaller movements. GK to stay on feet as long as possible incase of sudden change of direction from the attacker.

• DELAY, STAY BIG AND FORCE WIDE

• RISKS If the GK drops to early, chip over GK. If the hands are not low enough in the low set position, attacker can slide a fast ball by the feet. If the leg movements are to big, risk of going through them. 

• “Working distance” what I mean by this is make sure the GK keeps approximately 1 yard between GK and attacker after they have closed them down. Too close and a skilled attacker will just knock the ball past them in to the space behind them.

The GK set position, 

In a 1v1 just put one step forward

• Not the text book shape but the best I could find for the low set position.

• This GK is probably in the middle of a blocking save 

• The adjustment I would make from this shape into a low set: 

Body weight forward so chin is over toes this prevents the player from going backwards onto the floor. 

• When the GK is in the “working distance “ area and in the low set the GK will has one of two decisions to make based on the movement of the attacker. 

• GK DECISION, if the attacker is coming inline with the GK then a smother technique is engaged

• In the pic we can see that the GK is spreading his body across the attackers feet taking the ball into the belly area making his body as long as possible so if the ball does pop out his has the secondary barrier of the rest of his body to protect the goal. His hands are nice and big with palm leading towards the ball, left arm lower just incase the ball is released early and taking impact on the side go his body to complete the save.

• The second of GK DECISION that can be taken is diving at feet 

• This is when the attacker takes a big touch to try to take the ball around the GK. 

• So when the gk is in the “working distance” the GK must watch and be ready for the big touch. When this happens, the GK steps towards the Ball, dive forwards, as they would for a low diving save, leading with their hands., big palms, fingers spread, elbows slightly bent and keeping the body as long a possible for the secondary barrier, to complete the save. 

• GK DECISION! When the GK see’s the traits

• GK to make themself as big as possible 
• Hands and palms forward

• Body weight forward (chin over feet)

• I would advice the younger GKs to stay on their feet for as long as possible and not to drop to the ground as the pro’s do This is because the it gives a chance for the GK to adjust for secondary saves. If the GK drops to the floor their have a slim chance of the second save. It takes time, patience, practice and lots of mistakes to get the correct timing to drop to the ground.